The Reading Ukulele Group runs sessions specifically for absolute beginners, beginners and improvers

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A Reading ukulele group is hoping to encourage more people in the town to pick up the tiny instrument.

The popularity of the ukulele has boomed in recent years and the Reading Ukulele Group (RUG) is eager to share its enthusiasm for the uke with the rest of the town.

“You don’t have to be a great musician to have fun, and be entertaining,” says Cathy Marsden who founded the group with partner Colm Daly in 2010.

“The X Factor gives us the mistaken impression that you have to be really good at music to do it and that is simply not true when it comes to the ukulele. It’s not just about being great, it’s about having fun!”

RUG meets on the second Wednesday of the month at The Retreat in St John’s Street and the fourth Wednesday of the month at The Eldon Arms in Eldon Terrace.

The nights run from 7pm to 9pm and cost £5 per session. Ukuleles can be provided if you don’t have your own.

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The group also runs sessions specifically for absolute beginners, beginners and improvers with Cathy and Colm providing tuition.

“Even if you’ve never played an instrument before you can pick up the ukulele and be playing by the end of your first lesson,” says Colm.

“Many of our starters from a couple of years ago are now actually performing in local arts centres and at festivals, and being paid too!”